After their first mission, the village streets felt different.
More eyes followed Henri now—not because he was strange, but because he had returned with battle scars and victory. Even Iruka-sensei had given him a nod of respect.
But Henri didn't let it get to his head.
He was already planning his next move.
---
"Alright," he muttered, standing at the edge of the Hokage Monument. "Let's see how far I can push it today."
Jeneya sat nearby, polishing her blade. "You sure this isn't suicide training?"
Henri grinned. "No pain, no gain."
He crouched, chakra flaring in his legs.
Jump.
He soared.
Over trees.
Over rooftops.
Over doubt.
---
🟢 [SYSTEM NOTICE]
High Jump – 20 meters
→ +4 Agility
→ +3 Chakra Control
→ Chakra Skill Progress: 12%
→ Mid-air Chakra Control Unlocked (Basic)
---
He landed perfectly—bending his knees with the precision of a seasoned shinobi.
Jeneya appeared behind him with a soft thud.
"You jumped that far without bursting a chakra coil," she noted. "You're improving fast."
"Feels like the air is getting easier to cut through," Henri said. "Like my chakra's...streamlining."
"Then you're ready."
"For what?"
She tossed him a scroll. "Secret mission. Just us."
---
📜 Side Quest: Partner Bond Training
Objective: Train in synchronized combat with Jeneya
Reward: Unlock Combined Skill
Hidden Goal: Build Relationship Bond (Current: 43%)
---
They moved into the forest together, flipping through trees and practicing tandem attacks.
Jeneya would dash in with a feint, Henri would jump over her with a flying kick, land on a branch, then strike from above.
It was messy at first.
Too slow.
Too off-sync.
But the more they moved together, the smoother it became.
Like dancing—with weapons.
At one point, they stood back-to-back, breathing heavy, surrounded by destroyed training logs.
Henri glanced over. "You're incredible."
Jeneya flushed slightly, wiping sweat from her brow. "So are you... Jump-boy."
He chuckled. "Hey. What do you think about us—"
Suddenly, a kunai struck a nearby tree.
Both of them turned instantly.
From the shadows, three masked figures emerged—not bandits.
Shinobi.
Real ones.
"Targets located," one said.
"Retrieve the scroll and eliminate if necessary."
---
⚠️ [SYSTEM ALERT – Ambush Engaged]
→ Opponent Rank: Mid-Chūnin
→ Estimated Threat Level: Moderate
→ Skill Suggestions: Use Aerial Step + Leaf Dash + Synchronized Combo
→ Emotion Trigger Detected: Protect Jeneya
---
Henri stepped in front of her without thinking.
Jeneya drew her blade. "Let's end this."
---
What happened next was fluid chaos.
Henri dashed forward, leapt high, used Aerial Step mid-air, then blasted downward with a chakra-powered kick. The first enemy was crushed into the ground.
Jeneya parried a strike and spun low, slicing the second's leg.
The third lunged—toward her.
Henri's system pinged.
He activated Leaf Dash, appearing in front of her in a flash—and took the hit.
Blood sprayed.
"Henri!"
---
🔴 [CRITICAL CONDITION]
→ HP Drop: 54%
→ Emergency Protocol: Skill Merge Available
Combined Skill Unlocked: Skyfall Strike (Jeneya + Henri)
→ Cooldown: 24 Hours
---
Together, they moved.
Henri jumped into the air, chakra blasting from his legs, and Jeneya leapt after him, her blade glowing with his chakra infusion.
They descended like thunder.
Skyfall Strike.
The enemy never stood a chance.
---
The three attackers were left unconscious, tied up with chakra wire.
Jeneya patched Henri's wound, biting her lip.
"You scared me."
"Sorry," he winced. "Didn't mean to look cool. It just... happened."
She hit his arm lightly. "Idiot."
Then, softer: "Thanks."
Henri smiled through the pain.
"That's what partners do."